posted at 5:03 pm on October 10, 2011 by Allahpundit

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said on Monday that he’ll allow the Wall Street protesters to stay indefinitely, provided they abide by the law, marking his strongest statement to date on the city’s willingness to let demonstrators occupy a park in Lower Manhattan.

“The bottom line is – people want to express themselves. And as long as they obey the laws, we’ll allow them to,” said Bloomberg as he prepared to march in the Columbus Day Parade on Fifth Avenue. “If they break the laws, then, we’re going to do what we’re supposed to do: enforce the laws.”

Bloomberg said he has “no idea” how much longer the Wall Street demonstration will last. “I think part of it has probably to do with the weather,” he said.

Up til now, the mayor has been cagey when asked how long he’ll allow the protesters to stay, replying: “We’ll see.”

On Friday he accused them of trying to destroy jobs in New York, now this. Two possibilities. One: He finally figured out that he doesn’t have much legal recourse to removing them, especially since Zuccotti Park is privately owned. As long as the landlord is willing to let them stay and sell drugs, crap on cop cars, practice their jazz hands, etc, I’m not sure why the city would have the power to eject them en masse instead of targeting individual lawbreakers among them. (That equation might change if sanitation in the park deteriorates to the point of threatening public health.) As for why the landlord’s willing to let them stay, I … just don’t know. JWF discovered that a subsidiary of Brookfield, which owns Zuccotti Park via a different subsidiary, coincidentally received $135 million in tax subsidies from the Obama administration for a wind farm. That’s interesting, but if the suggestion here is that the White House somehow coordinated with Brookfield to astroturf the protests from the beginning, I don’t buy it. There may very well be some ‘turfing going on — in fact, there’s almost no doubt about it — but if Democrats were trying to cook up protests to push The One’s redistributionist agenda, the cast of characters would have looked very different. To see what I mean, read Matt Labash’s vivid account of what he saw at the freak show downtown. The Democrats don’t want OWS to look like what it looks like. Irony of ironies, in order to appeal to middle-American voters, they want it to look a lot more like … a tea-party rally.

The second possibility is that, now that Democrats have seen how far the media is willing to go into the tank to portray OWS as some sort of cri de coeur of the dispossessed proletariat instead of the quasi-political mini-Woodstock that it’s become, they want to keep it going in hopes of mainstreaming it and coopting it. (In fact, they’re already fundraising off of it.) Bloomberg, who’s sufficiently palsy with The One to have been occasionally rumored as a replacement for Geithner, might now be playing along to that end — although even there, I don’t quite buy that he’d betray his Wall Street clique so quickly. The likeliest explanation here is that he realizes he has few options to oust the protesters and likely also realizes that heavy-handed police action will only bring heat on him and increase sympathy for them (especially with media hacks siding with them at every turn), which may draw even more hippies downtown in solidarity. Better to leave them be and let the public grow increasingly disgusted with goings-on in the park — which is already happening among New Yorkers who live in the area, notwithstanding their liberal sympathies. Or am I missing something?

Update: If you’re a fan of Occupy Wall Street — but only if you’re a fan — the New York Times wants to hear from you!

The Times is pairing with the Public Insight Network from American Public Media to gather stories from those of you who identify with or support the Occupy Together movement.

Are you part of the 99 percent? Tell us your story.

Do you identify with the movement? We would like to hear from you.

Via Rebelpundit, a scene from Occupy Chicago to help put things in perspective.

The city can force the landlord to evict them for as you pointed out health violations. Also on nuisance grounds, allowing them to sell drugs and noise. Let’s see how the residents in the area take it. They’re all obama supporters so I don’t care.

The second possibility is that, now that Democrats have seen how far the media is willing to go into the tank to portray OWS as some sort of cri de coeur of the dispossessed proletariat instead of the quasi-political mini-Woodstock that it’s become, they want to keep it going in hopes of mainstreaming it and coopting it.

I think Bloomberg is trying to counter some version of the Streisand effect. He feels if he lets them be and removes the “We’re being victimized by police!” angle the buzz will die down and they’ll just be smelly hippies sitting in a park.

while surfing i just watched the end of the Dylan Ratigan show on msnbc…w/neomi klein and other people. i swear Ratigan almost teared up in his gushing about how he’s down with the people…he might get a tent and join them.

i swear i hear a little of the ‘internationale’ as they broke for the commercial

Enslaved masses, stand up, stand up
The world is about to change its foundation

Bloomberg, The New York Times and the rest of those trashy communists need to just keep their scummy operation in New York and not stink up the rest of the country . . . but, if they’d like to try, we’re ready.

Bloomberg said he has “no idea” how much longer the Wall Street demonstration will last. “I think part of it has probably to do with the weather,” he said.

That’s a pretty good bet.

The really funny part is that if all the 1%’s in New York City left, the City would go broke. The revenue gap in taxes would then fall on the rest of the denizens of NYC. Can you imagine their response to the OWS crowd then? It would not be pretty. Something along the lines of “Here come the scoops!”

If I were the mayor in this situation my “daily planner” would look something like this:

Monday: Tell trash in the part they can stay as long as they want.Tuesday: Meet with park owners, put them on notice that they are responsible for sanitation and the illegal acts committed on their property.Wednesday: Hair cut and a nice lunch (Hey, a despot has to enjoy himself)Thursday morning: Inform owners of the park that it is being seized under the same laws that allow the city to take any other property used to sell drugs. Inform protesters they have until dawn on Friday to get out of the city’s newest park.Thursday pm: Buy beer, popcorn and other snacks because…Friday: Send police into the park to clear it out. Watch from the NYPD bunker, sharing food and beverages bought the day before. Book appearances on Today show, etc for Monday to claim credit if the operation goes well, or to blame the drunks in the PD head quarters if it all goes to hell.

I hope these moonbats stay until the next election, they are the gift that just keeps giving. Bloomingidiotberg can always be counted on to do the stupid.

David in ATL on October 10, 2011 at 5:10 PM

..now if we could only encourage Debbie Blabbermouth, ManBearPig, Al “Liberal Plantation” Sharpton, The Wiener, and all of those who got thrown out in ’10 (like Grayson) to go make an appearance there, that ought to just reduce the civilized part of this country into one giant, collective event of projectile vomiting.

If the owner(s) are going to allow defecation on cop cars, when they could easily cooperate with Police, when their “guests” do such disrespectful, and disgusting , health hazard things….then I hope the NYPD sues the owners. Ultimately, if they allow this kind of behavior from their “guests”, they own the responsibility for their “guests”.

I`m up in Syracuse, NY and I`m busting my ass to earn a living. So fine Mr. Bloomberg, but don`t make ME pay for THEIR mess! I`ll expect a refund for my state taxes next year, If you`re listening Mr. Cuomo.

Speaking of Do-Nothing Leftist Moonbats, many of my Leftist friends on Facebook are in a snit today because…it’s Columbus Day. A lot of them have already posted silly cut and pastes from Leftist sites, with the usual drivel about “the Natives being here first” and other such nonsense.

I was happy to see one of my more sane friends b*tch-slap one of them to the Equator and back with this Inconvenient Truth:

Do you really think Columbus knew there were Native Americans to be discovered, and that he planned to displace (read: kill) them all? Seems unlikely. Not that they deserved what happened to them. Just doesn’t seem right to blame Columbus for it all!

Where do these children think the medicines that save lives, the food that comes to their tables, the clothes that they wear come from. Most from big corporations who had an idea like the gap that came for private equity money so they could expand a business and sell to these ingrateful children.

“Everybody can’t be a millionaire,” says Harvey. “I understand [some people] have all that wealth. But why you gonna waste your life worryin’ about that? Complain all you want—but on your way to work.”

All I can say is, if the government doesn’t start providing them with shelter for the colder nights coming up. Then government food and Wifi centers. Oh oh! and porta-potties and voting booths brought to them for when the time comes, then America is just evilnasty. And we’re all racists.

Since Bloomberg’s live in girl friend is on the board of directors of Brookfield Properties, which just happens to own Zuccotti Park… He is obviously bowing to the wishes of his girl friend.

Dasher on October 10, 2011 at 5:36 PM

Pardon my cynicism, but is she his beard, or is this a “relationship” of convenience?

Has Rudy Guiliani weighed in on the OWS situation?

It’s a pity that the media are trying to portray a bunch of moochers subsidized by unions and communist front organizations as the face of America’s youth. The Obamavilles sprouting up in the blue cities, conveniently near college campuses, say quite a bit about the debt and hopelessness the president and his party’s policies have created.

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Since you mentioned ernesto, I’m pretty sure heis down there in the middle of all this, wiggling his fingers, calling for ‘mic checks’ and participating in General Assemblies. Otherwise, we would have read dozens of non sequiturs regarding our comments about capitalism and personal hygiene.

It would sure be a shame if a pack of jackals or some big cats were turned loose on the crowd in NYC.

But I actually think Bloomberg’s plan is more cruel. Let them come and experience the outdoors in New York in the winter. Keep incenting them to stay just a little bit longer. Promise them “portal cake”. Until they freeze and/or starve. Then fire up the soylent green factory.

There is no way to meet their demands. The most humane thing to do is to break out the fire hoses, and give them a shower and an incentive to go home at the same time. But that’s just the humanitarian in me.

Since you mentioned ernesto, I’m pretty sure heis down there in the middle of all this, wiggling his fingers, calling for ‘mic checks’ and participating in General Assemblies. Otherwise, we would have read dozens of non sequiturs regarding our comments about capitalism and personal hygiene.

ExpressoBold on October 10, 2011 at 6:16 PM

Wonder how much they are paying him?

A followup-I just went back to Facebook to see how my Leftist friend reacted to one of her other friends expressing an opinion different than hers, on on her anti-Columbus Day post.

Of course, she had already deleted his post. Dr. Goebbels would approve.

Remember when the NY Times wanted to hear from people who identified with a nascent grass roots movement that was concerned with out-of-control federal debt and spending? When it sought to “gather stories from those of you who identify with or support the [Tea Party] movement”? No, neither do I.

Zuccotti Park was to have been the venue for the demonstration against the Ground Zero mosque last year, but at the last minute, Brookfield pulled the permit. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. (We ended up using the park anyhow because the crowd was too large to be contained in the area the city roped off for us and the police finally gave up trying to keep protesters out of the park (they, after all, were on our side).

NYC is a sh*t hole from what I’ve seen. It claims to be a great city, but every time it’s in the news, it’s for something like this. A city government with no morals. A state government which has been driving people away via higher taxes.

I’m praying for the weather to turn cold, wet and nasty so the occupiers can be the same. They’re just there for the drugs and free sex, oh and now tax free paychecks from Acorn. If you listen to any of their interviews, it is painfully obvious they are intently searching for a logical opinion of the subject of bankers should be jailed and the millionaires need to be taxed out of existence.

Which has just been disgusting to watch, especially as those who support the movement cry bias at every turn. Do you guys even realize how bad the reporting on this would be if you were Tea Partiers instead?

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“They” could mean a company or organization for whom he is an employee since his last stated occupation is “broadcast engineer.” If it’s PBS or NPR (you know, “non-profit, non-capitalist, taxpayer-supported… yadda yadda yadda”) they could have him down at Zucotti Park soaking up all the smoke vibes and filming the reports on all the “human interest” stories (How I survived the elements through the kindness of strangers, reported one ‘protester’ “*).
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Then again, he might be double dipping and reveling in all the “atmosphere.” I can just imagine, as leftist, anti-capitalist, anti-profit, anti-bank that he is that he could not resist being all up into this. What a doof!
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*-fabricated title, introduced for effect, not accuracy, although could be real, sometime soon.

Occupy wallstreet was started by AdBusters, which is funded by by George Soros’ tides foundation.
It’s being joined by MoveOn.org, also funded by Soros. The Service﻿ Employees International Union, (SEIU) is running the show in downtown NY. Telling people where to go, passing out food and propaganda. This “grass roots” mob was started by Soros and is being run by and for the benefit of the unions and the democrats.

These idiots who are crapping all over the city have been suckered into working to help the DNC and unions to consolidate their power and help Soros decide Americas future.

NYC is a sh*t hole from what I’ve seen. It claims to be a great city, but every time it’s in the news, it’s for something like this. A city government with no morals. A state government which has been driving people away via higher taxes.

No thank you. I’ll stay away from that place.

madmonkphotog on October 10, 2011 at 6:25 PM

If you think you can run from stupidity you are kidding yourself. This is a systemic failure of a co-opted education system and a political system that isn’t working in the best interests of the country. And no, NY isn’t S*it hole, thank you.

Maybe it is time for the rest of Wall Street to point out that they also can move to their emergency office locations in New Jersey; but permanently this time. I bet Chris Christie would figure out a way for them to get to work safely and on time.

If it’s PBS or NPR (you know, “non-profit, non-capitalist, taxpayer-supported… yadda yadda yadda”) they could have him down at Zucotti Park soaking up all the smoke vibes and filming the reports on all the “human interest” stories (How I survived the elements through the kindness of strangers, reported one ‘protester’ “*).

The irony is that, at least for PBS, most of the programs rely on corporate sponsorship.

The people that live there voted for Obama, I say let them enjoy the re-elect Obama rally. Let them smell that smell. May their children enjoy the park and all it now has to offer the whole family! They paid more for their residences because of the parks location to their residences, let them enjoy their investment. Let them look in the mirror and know they are considered the 1% by the occupiers. Knowing all this you can be sure they will pull that lever for TheOne. boggles the mind, the irony.

Aside from the incredible irony of protesting against Wall Street “fat cats”, 70% of whom voted for their ‘hero’ Obama, we have a mayor who’s only receptive only to unwashed hooligans (covering downtown Manhattan with mountains of poop and rivers of urine) and sleazy Muslim terrorists. All others, including firemen, lawful taxpayers. police and the military personnel–take a (tax) hike.

I hope this backfires big time on the nyt. as we know it will.My question is when are they going to be asked to clean up their mess…hmmmm,sounds familiar,like a parent telling a child to clean up their nasty room.This is how I see these people,spoiled brats.

Nloomberg’s third term is a disaster and continues the mayoral curse of third terms. Wrt the thugs at zuccini park the neighbiring businesses should sue the city the park owners and the organizers for nuisance abatement.

I am still amazed that Democrats up to and including Obozo support these filthy, lice-ridden leeches. Most of America doesn’t support this and recognizes a nasty, unwashed rabble when they see one. We are seeing one. That the Dems think they can build something meaningful from this is further proof of sweat-stained desperation on their part.